The Marksman Misses The Mark.
Taken 2 was a mess, but it still managed to make $160 million at the box office. It’s not clear if Taken 3 will be any better, but it seems like Neeson is set to continue making big bucks.
Jim’s ranch is being put up for foreclosure because he is unable to pay off his home loan as his late wife’s medical bills crippled his finances. We also find out that Jim is a recovering alcoholic. This information gives the film an air of familiarity. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this but it’s indicative of the film’s overall lack of originality. ..
Jim takes a young Mexican boy, Miguel, under his wing. The boy’s mother has been shot dead by typical cartel stereotypes and as is common in film’s of this type, Jim tasks himself with the mission of protecting him. What we have next is a road movie of sorts with Jim, his dog, and the boy, fleeing the country with the cartel bad guys hot on their heels.
In The Marksman, Liam Neeson stars as John Markham, a grizzled old war veteran who is hired by a young boy (Jared Harris) to protect him from a group of thugs. The film is directed by Robert Lorenz, who has worked with Eastwood in the past and clearly drew inspiration from the actor’s work. However, while Gran Torino was a well-crafted film with memorable characters and an interesting plot, The Marksman suffers from numerous plot holes and clichés. Consequently, it is not as good as either of its predecessors. ..
The film’s basic plot is a crime-solving mystery with a side story about immigrants. However, the film does have some surprises that keep it interesting.
As usual in this kind of film, Jim and Miguel bond, fall out, and become friends again. Jim’s tough demeanour inevitably softens as their relationship deepens and Miguel’s hostility towards the older man eventually fades. The film turns into an action weepie rather than an action thriller, which wouldn’t be a bad thing if it didn’t feel so predictable.
The film is not worth watching if you’re looking for a lot of gunplay and movie star heroics. Despite the film’s title, Jim rarely shows off his marksmanship skills, which raises the question, why slap a generic name onto it? The answer is probably obvious, of course. I imagine it was chosen to bring in the Taken crowd who want to see another Neeson action flick where he fights against the odds. But as I alluded, those tuning in to see him kick ass are going to be disappointed.
The film has some good moments, but the ending is a bit expected. Those who are willing to take the film’s slow pace and melancholic tone may be less critical.
Neeson’s career has not died hard, but it might be time for him to give up the action heroics and focus on films that are more appropriate for his age and his well-lauded acting skills.
